Rotator Cuff Injury - need advice please

[Traps]

I need some friendly advice on what happenned and how others recovered from a rotator cuff injury due to archery.  

I'm a left handed shooter and heard a "pop" while waiting for a doe to come into my sight window througha ground blind at less than 5 yards.  I quietly drew back on my 68" 55# longbow in an ackward position and bang... the pain.  Silly me wanted to shoot the doe so badly, I held the bow in possition for about 60 seconds.  I was waiting for her to continue walking into view - 5 more steps!  The pain was enormous and I couldn't hold it any more.  I moved to peek out the window... brushed my coat against the edge of the tent and ... bouncy-bouncy she ran away.

Deer 1: Dave: 0   cost: the rest of the season.

So... why did this happen?  What experiences have you had?  What exercises can I try to strengthen the muscle pairs (once I recover and visit my chiropractor) and get back into the game for next year?  What could/should I do differently next time (besides leaving the ego at home!)?

Thanks in advance,

Dave

[SHOOTO8S]

Sorry.... after 4 shoulder surgeries, I can tell you an archery forum, however well intended IS NOT the place to get advice on shoulder(or any) injury. Find the best sports orthopedic Doctor in your area and ask him or her about treatment options.

[Traps]

Thanks for the advice Rod.  I'm just curious as to streches and exercises shooters use to recover from an injury.  Being a trained/certified archery coach, I realize the liabilities to "giving advice".  Just looking for some options to talk to my doctor when I see him on Monday.

Still looking at "why" this happened.  I thought I was in shape - stretching, warming up before hunting that day, using a bow well within my strength, practicing an hour a day for over two years, .....  Just want ot know if anyone has had similar problems and what the prognosis was and how they recovered.

P.S.  Big fan and like your shooting style!

Dave

[SHOOTO8S]

Without an MRI, its very hard to say what exercises may help and which will cause more damage.

I had reconstructive surgery 06/24...2 rotator cuff tears, a clean up of the AC joint and fixed an impingement issue .....12/11 I've worked back to 40#'s after starting back with 24#'s and shooting pain free( unless I shoot too many arrows) for the first time in years!

Moral to the story? Even a worst case scenario is fixable.


 Thanks for the compliment...I'm a product of outstanding coaching ...I just try not to screw it up too much   :D

[highpoint forge]

Do not overtrain (lay off if you do) and always warm up.....Google rotator cuff exercises. DO NOT have shoulder surgery. I have hurt both R & L rc from years of lifting weights and steady rc strengthening and Advil will do the trick, just don't forget to keep doing your exercises and you'll recover. This has worked for me for the last 10 years and I'm only 37. Both my father and father-in-law are doctors and both vehemently say you do not want to have your shoulders operated on, they'll never be the same. Unless you happen to be Tom Brady or Tony Romo, I'd stick with rehab and anti-inflammatories. I shoot my 57# just fine and from time to time I lay off and hit the Advil when I get sore. I never miss my RC exercises though. Send me an email and i'll send you the complete rehab regimen.

[cvarcher]

All good advise but you do need an orthopedic doctors checkup for range of motion impairment and rehab .My guess is you may get to use some light rubber tubing exercises.Why it happens is anyones guess. Age,your genetics, past injuries whatever.How you could have prevented it-. Every 10-15 minutes you should draw the bow at your stand and relax it to keep the muscles and ligaments warmed and stretched.Alos try to shoot the bow Hill style -that is draw hit anchor and loose in one smooth fluid motion-no holding.Thats why he was able to get up to those heavy weights without injury.

[1arroww]

No Surgery?? I've had both shoulders done and if I had to do it over I would have had surgery sooner. I put off surgery as long as I could and got older and did more damage. See a orthopedic doctor before doing anything you don't want to do more damage trying to get better.
1arroww

[rastaman]

As Rod said, get it checked out professionally first whether or not you decide to have surgery or not.  i decided against surgery even though i have a tear...i'm doing exercises and the alternative route of prolotherapy.   It is a slow process regardless..

[toddster]

As everyone stated, GO SEE A PHYSICIAN as soon as possible!!!!!!  The longer you wait the chances of the problem being harder to fix and heal well.  I tore an achilles tendon, and waited a few weeks till I went and got it looked at, the Doc told me if I waited two more days, would not of been able to fix it.  As much as it will pain you and me for saying it, stay away from shooting, go see an orthopedic doctor and go from there.  best wish's.

[Toklat1]

I had Rotator cuff surgery last February.  I wish I had done it sooner also.  There was more damage letting it go for 3-4 years.  I Also had a bone spur in there wearing everything away. They had to go in and clean out a lot of the damaged lining to the labrum.  I have quite a bit of bone on bone now in the socket (Not Good).  My physicl therapist tailored my rehab to me being able to shoot my bow. I was shooting again in 3 and half months believe it or not.  I also ordered and used a bowfit that I took with me to physical therapy.  See an Orthopedic physician, have an MRI and do exactly what he and your physical therapist tells you to do.  Thats my 2 cents worth. Hope it helps.

[bowtime]

Beside going to a Doctor...think of shooting from other side. That will let you shoot and learn and
improve while the injury heals. I did this and it works. You can satisfy the archery addiction while
learning to shoot right handed. Just look for a bow
on the web...many low poundage recurve and longbows
are always for sale. I went the compound route...
turned it down below 40# and used fingers...it worked. Now I can shoot both sides and have more
bows to play with. Before buying the compound I bought a Crossbow insuring my hunting trips. Good luck!!!!

[Traps]

Thanks to all for responding.  I will be seeing my doctor on Monday and hopefully after a proper assesment, making the appropriate steps.  Highpoint, I will be sending you a PM ASAP.  

Thought things were getting better until my 1 year old was about to fall off the couch and I cought him with my gimpy arm.... ouch!!!!

Will post my ressults and hopefully it will give you insight on what to do and not to do.  It is very important for all to realize that every injury is unique and one treatment does not fit all.  Let the reader beware!

Thanks again and God Bless.

Dave

[Chizzy]

I have had the same injury. I tried so much right up to the point that i was thinking of surgery. But the solution that eventually helped me was a light weight workout every day. I took about a month and now my should is a lot better.

[Traps]

Just came back from the doctor and he doesn't believe it was a deep tear and can be fixed with laying off the bow for a while, ultrasound and exercises to lengthen the tendon/muscle.  After just one treatment I feel a whole lot better.  Just need time and dicipline to get through the next few weeks.

Thinks I'll go to a lighter bow for a while.  Oh darn!  That means building that 45 lb. recurve I wanted.  I really hate when that happens!  I'm sure my wife will understand.... "it's for medicinal purposes you see dear.  Doctor's orders!"  I wonder if my health plan will cover this?

Anyways, back to reality!  Doc's got me doing stretches for the shoulder and if I respond favourably, I;ll be shouting indoors in January.

Thanks for the feedback folks!  First time posting here and it certainly won't be the last.

God Bless,

Dave the trapper.

[Traps]

Hi Gang.

Just found a very good article that I think every archer should read.... especially those of us over 40.  It may be found at:

 http://images.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://www.bowsite.com/bowsite/features/bowdoc/shoulder/frontana.JPG&imgrefurl=http://bowsite.com/bowsite/features/bowdoc/shoulder/index.htm&u sg=__1PFrdq_QyA-Q2qNmVFBEDFbuC9g=&h=306&w=290&sz=25&hl=en&start=46&tbnid=EEHBlJYl7sWoNM:&tbnh=117&tbnw=111&prev=/images%3Fq%3Darchery%2Binjuries%2B%252B%2Bupper%2Barm%26start%3D42% 26gbv%3D2%26ndsp%3D21%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DN

[Daddy Bear]

During my days of mountain bike racing, I dislocated my shoulder and separated the A-C during a bad spill. Through professional help, physical therapy, and time, I recovered. I am now nearing 50 and suffer no difficulty or weakness from this injury. My shoulder is as strong as ever and is probably stronger than most half my age. I can shoot heavy bows using the Hill style, I can throw breaking balls, I have a full range of movement, and I suffer no pain beyond normal muscle soreness. I credit this to seeking and following the best professional advice available to me at the time. I'd suggest the same for you.

later,
Daddy Bear